Cardiff is poised to become home to one of the world's largest battery storage facilities. Cardiff Council's planning committee is considering a application for the development that would significantly contribute towards the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's carbon neutral goals.
Members of the committee are recommended to grant permission for the project on an existing motocross track off Rover Way, Tremorfa..
The site will comprise of an energy park, which will store renewable energy from the National Grid Network, and a data centre. A planning report on the proposal states that the energy park will have a capacity of 1,000MW of battery storage. That would make it one of the biggest battery storage facilities in the world.
At present the biggest battery storage is a California-based installation with a 875MW capacity.
Developers PCG Ltd, LATOs Ltd, and TEP Ltd outlined the need for renewable energy solutions in their planning statement: "The drive to achieve a carbon-neutral energy strategy for the º£½ÇÊÓƵ is dependent on the use of renewable and green energy.", reports .
"Wind and solar power are the most cost-effective forms of energy generation. However, particularly around the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, they are unreliable, meaning they do not generate 24/7 and may not be producing power when it is needed, so, as the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's energy requirements continue to grow, electricity storage facilities will help ensure that energy supply is able to meet the demand."
"These facilities allow power to be stored to balance the network when it is required, creating a more secure system that is environmentally and financially sustainable."
Currently, the National Grid relies on gas generators to provide power when the network is running short.
Energy parks and battery storage systems, like the one proposed for Tremorfa, will play a role in replacing these gas generators. According to the planning statement: "The energy stored at Tremorfa will be generated elsewhere and provided to it via the National Grid network or directly from other renewable sources."
The proposed site will be accessible via an existing roundabout on Rover Way and then along Tide Fields Road. The Wales Coastal Path runs along the eastern edge of the site, which is also adjacent to Celsa Steelworks and the Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water treatment works.
The Rover Way gypsy and travellers site is also nearby. The Cardiff Council planning committee meeting is scheduled for 10:30am on Thursday, October 17.
